Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 2

John Winthrop to John Winthrop, Jr.1

Winthrop, John Winthrop, John, Jr.

1630-03-14

To my verye lovinge sonne Mr. John Winthrop at Mr. Downinges house in fleetstreet neere the Conduitt London. dd.

My good Sonne,

The Lord blesse thee euer.

It hathe pleased him of his riche mercye to bringe vs all hither in safetye, blessed be his name. Our shippes are not yet come about; so as we knowe not when we shall departe, but our eyes are towards our God, who hath putt vs into his service, and wilbe with vs to the ende: I haue not yet any leysure, and therefore cannot write to suche of my good freindes as I desire, but I hope to gett tyme before we goe: make what convenient hast you can to your mother, and that love and dutye you owe to me, exercise it towardes her and your brothers and sisters (I have no Cause to doubt of it, neither doe I) the Lord will reward all your goodnesse this waye. Mr. Dudlye was gone to the wight before we came, and Sir Richard Saltonstall 2 is not yet come to vs. The Lord poure downe his blessinges vpon you, bothe the blessings of the right hand and the lefte, and let the blessinge of your father 222be increased aboue the blessings of our auncestors, vpon the head and heart of my deare sonne, so I rest your lovinge father

Jo: Winthrop. S: Hampton March 14. 1629–30.

if you spare any mony leave it with your vnckle for I feare I shall want some.

New York Public Library; L. and L. , I. 386.

A Court of Assistants was held at Southampton, March 18, at which Winthrop, Humfrey, Saltonstall, Johnson, Dudley, Nowell, Pynchon, and Goffe were present. Records of Massachusetts, I. 69.

John Winthrop to Margaret Winthrop1

Winthrop, John Winthrop, Margaret

1630-03-22

My deare wife,

I wrote to thee, when I wente from South Hampton and now I must salute thee and take leaue togither from the shipp. God be blessed the winde is come verye faire, and we are all in health, our children2 remember their dutyes and desire thy blessing. Comende me to all our good freindes, as I wrote in my former lettre, and be comfortable and trust in the Lord my deare wife praye praye he is our God and father, we are in Couenant with him and he will not cast vs off. so this once more I kisse and embrace thee, and all my children etc. etc. Thy faithfull husband

Jo: Winthrop. from aboard the Arbella ridinge at the Cowes. March 22. 1629–30. 1.

W. 7 A. 41; Savage (1825), I. 367; (1853), I. 440; L. and L. , I. 387; Twichell, Puritan Love-Letters , 149.

Henry, Stephen, and Adam. Henry's stay on the Arbella was short, for, as Winthrop tells (see Journal for March 29) he “went on shore with one of my servantes to fetche an oxe and 10: weathers which he had provided for our shippe,” and, delaying his return, was left behind to follow on the Talbot.

John Winthrop to John Winthrop, Jr.1

Winthrop, John Winthrop, John, Jr.

1630-03-22

To my verye louinge Sonne mr. John Winthrop at Groton Suffolk dd.

My good sonne,

We are now goeinge to the Shippe, vnder the Comfort of the Lordes gratious protection and good providence. I praye have care so to walke with God in Faithe and sinceritye, as by his blessinge we may meet with ioye. There is newly come into our Companye and sworne an Assistant, one Sir Brian Janson2 of London, a man of good estate, and so affected with our societye, as he hathe given 50 li. to our Common stocke, and 50 li. to the Ioynt Stocke, he desires to be acquainted with you.

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I praye paye Bulbrooke of Wenham suche monye as his provisions cost him about 30: or 40 s. and receive 12 li. of Goodman Ponde for the rest of his sonnes 2: Cows, (I had 10 li. before) and aske him for their passage 10 li. you shall receive 5 li. for Edward Palsforde, which John S. hathe order for. I praye paye mr. Goffe suche monye as you shall receive direction for, from your vnckle Downinge.

We are now come safe (I prayse God) to the Cowes:3 the winde is now verye faire (God be praysed) and we are preparinge to sett sayle, this night. the Lord in mercye sende vs a prosperous voyage. farewell my deare sonne. the Lord blesse you and all my Children and freindes. Commende me to them all as if I named them, for I am in great streightes of leysure so I rest your lovinge father

Jo: Winthrop. March 22. 1629–30. 1.

W. 7 A. 40; Savage (1825), I. 367–368; (1853), I. 441; L. and L. , I. 386–387.

Knighted in Ireland by Falkland, December 14, 1624.

The last meeting in England of the Court of Assistants was held March 23 on the Arbella, when “Mr. John Humfrey (in regard hee was to stay behinde in England) was discharged of his Deputy-shipp, and Mr. Thomas Dudley chosen Deputy in his place.” Records of Massachusetts, I. 70.